A LOT of Disney Parks changes are coming to Disney World and Disneyland Resort over the next 5 years and we’ve got all the details! Here are all the major announcements you missed from the Disney Experiences Showcase presentation at D23.

Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom

Disney Villains Land Confirmed

In 2023, Disney teased a new Disney Villains land saying that it was a potential expansion plan for Magic Kingdom. And, now it’s officially happening!

The new land will feature TWO new attractions, dining, and shops. And, they’ll all be themed to the most wicked Disney villains we know and love. You’ll be able to find it behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as a park expansion beyond Frontierland.

Work is already underway, though Disney has not shared an opening timeline yet.

Pixar Cars Attractions Announced

Disney announced that a section of Frontierland is being reimagined into a new area inspired by Pixar’s Cars. It will feature two brand-new attractions.

One will take you on a thrilling “rally race through the mountains” and will be geared toward older guests. And the other will be for little ones. Disney has only revealed that this other attraction “will be fun for the whole family.”

These attractions will permanently replace Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. Work on this new section of Frontierland is set to begin in early 2025.

New Details on Pirates of the Caribbean-Themed Tavern

Disney had previously announced that a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge was in the works. And, now we have more details! The tavern will be a place for both young and old guests to gather to enjoy “grogs and grub.” It will open in 2025.

The exact location is currently unclear. Though, it will likely be located in Adventureland near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

New Nighttime Parade “Disney Starlight” Announced

A new nighttime parade called “Disney Starlight“ will debut in the summer of 2025 at Magic Kingdom. It will feature Disney’s newest technology and a ton of Disney characters including the Blue Fairy from Cinderella and others from Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more.

EPCOT

New Details on Test Track Reimagination

Test Track recently closed for a total reimagining in EPCOT and Disney shared some new insights on what (and when) we can expect inside.

According to Disney, the entire ride is being revamped, including the line! When you step inside, you’ll make your way through six different exhibits that highlight vehicles “that push the envelope” and the people behind them.

Then, you’ll board your own car (the traditional ride vehicles that have always been used at the attraction) and journey through new scenes that showcase “technological advances and how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone.” This will include “scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization and personalization.” And, of course, the ride will cap off with the iconic high-speed outdoor track around the building.

The ride will open in 2025 with a new exterior design inspired by the original pavilion design when EPCOT opened.

Spaceship Earth Lounge Announced

There will be a new place to get some R&R on a hot day in EPCOT! Disney announced that a new Spaceship Earth-inspired lounge will open in 2025.

The space will take inspiration from the iconic geometrical design of the park icon. It will also feature “rich textures and warm metallic tones” inside. An exact location and opening date are still TBD.

Disneys Hollywood Studios

New Missions Coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

You won’t just get to see The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda at the theaters when they make their big screen debut in The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026! Disney announced that a new mission with the famous duo is coming to the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction in both Disney World and Disneyland.

We can expect to see them in 2026 when the movie is released.

Monsters Inc. Land Announced

Remember when the monsters decided to invite humans into Monstropolis and power their city with laughs instead of screams at the end of Monsters Inc.? Well, it’s about time you come on in!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will soon be home to an entire area themed to Monsters Inc. You’ll be able to walk the streets alongside the monsters, enjoy new dining and shopping locations, see a new theater show, and step inside the factory where you’ll find an entirely new attraction.

Disney shared that the new ride will be Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster. It will take you on an adventure through the massive doors room from the iconic scene in the 2001 movie.

Work on this project will begin in 2025. An opening timeline has not yet been announced, though Disney has revealed that it will take over the area that is currently dedicated to The Muppets as they gear up to takeover Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Central Americas Land Confirmed

Construction on the reimagining of DinoLand U.S.A. will begin in fall 2024 and some MAJOR changes are coming! Disney has confirmed that the land will be completely replaced with a new Central Americas-themed land called Pueblo Esperanza.

The land will feature a brand-new quick-service restaurant that will be one of the largest in all of Disney World. It will also include three new attractions including a carousel, an Indiana Jones-themed ride, and an Encanto-themed ride-through attraction.

The Indiana Jones attraction will be an entirely new adventure (so not a copy of the one already in Disneyland). And, the Encanto ride will invite you into Antonio’s room where he just learned about his magical gift to communicate with animals in the rainforest.

Disney expects to complete this land in 2027.

Opening Timeline for New Zootopia Attraction

Zootopia: Better Together will officially replace Its Tough To Be A Bug inside the Tree of Life Theater in winter 2025. The new show will feature an “adventure through different biomes seen in the film”. You’ll tag along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and other characters from the movie.

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening Date Announced

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will officially open in Disneyland Park on November 15th, 2024. This will also mark the official rename of Critter Country to “Bayou Country” in the park.

In total, the renamed land will include The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, Ray’s Berets, Louis’ Critter Club, and Pooh Corner.

First-Ever Walt Disney Animatronic Announced

Disney has created the first-ever Walt Disney audio-animatronic and you’ll be able to see him in Disneyland in 2025! The animatronic will initially debut as part of a new limited-time show, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” inside the Main Street Opera House.

Following its initial run, the show will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”

Disney California Adventure

Avengers Campus Expansion

Disney gave some major updates on TWO new attractions coming to Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure.

The largest Marvel attraction that has been in the works since the creation of the land officially has a name — Avengers Infinity Defense! The new thrill ride will take you through many of the iconic lands from the franchise including Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City as you team up with the Avengers to defeat King Thanos.

And, Robert Downey Jr. will be reprising his role as Tony Stark in the newest ride announced for Avengers Campus — Stark Flight Lab. You’ll board a two-person pod for a simulated flight to help test Stark’s latest invention.

Construction on this expansion is set to begin in 2025.

Coco-Inspired Ride Announced

Disney revealed that a Coco-themed attraction is currently in the works for Disney California Adventure. The boat ride-through attraction will take you into the land of the dead with Miguel and other characters (and music!) from the movie.

An opening timeline has not been revealed, though Disney shared that construction will begin in 2026.

New Details on Avatar Experience

Disney had previously announced that a new Avatar experience would be coming to Disneyland and now we have more details! Unlike Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the new area is inspired by Avatar: The Way of Water and other upcoming Avatar films.

Disney didn’t share too many more details about what we can expect. But, they did say that “This new and thrilling excursion will bring all the action, excitement, and wonder of Avatar, taking guests all the way to the wide-open seas of Pandora.” You can check out the new concept art below to see what might be in store!

Comments

What Disney Parks changes are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!